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2. No less than 52 per cent, of infants and 35 per cent, of
junior children listen to the wireless whilst in bed, and a considerable
proportion of these have a wireless set in their bedroom. In
the case of senior children, the percentage is lower, namely, 26 per
cent., but this is probably due to the fact that the children sit up
late in order to listen-in. The teachers especially mention the lure
of variety programmes, which often take place at a time when
children should be asleep.
The position is complicated by the fact that even where children
do not have a set in their own room, they are disturbed by a wireless
set in the house, or even by the sets of next-door neighbours.
Parents consult us almost daily concerning sleeplessness of
their children, and we, therefore, consider the matter to be of
importance.
3. 28 per cent, of infants, 35 per cent, of junior and 20 per
cent, of senior children read in bed. This often takes place with
inadequate lighting and in an unsatisfactory posture; it excites the
mind when it should be quiescent, and is a frequent cause of sleeplessness.
Apart from this, it may have a deleterious effect on the
eye-sight.
4. We are informed that a large percentage of children attend
the cinema at least once a week. One boy at the Central School
was reported to be paying five visits regularly each week. One
wonders how this child can be benefiting from a Central School
education. Many children attend on Saturday morning or afternoon;
times when they should be playing in the open air.
5. Many of the teachers who complained of listlessness on
Monday morning reported that the children spent most of Saturday
going long journeys in closed cars to the seaside, and that some of
them were either late at school on Monday or were unable to attend
at all owing to fatigue.
6. Some teachers of infants and girls' schools complained of
the craze for dancing. Dancing classes are held after school hours
and are concerned in teaching tap dancing, which is very tiring.
Some of the children perform in public subsequent to tiring nights
of rehearsals. The words of one teacher vividly explain this point.
She writes: "The children go to bed with muscles twitching to the
rhythm of the latest jazz tune, and their sleep and rest is thereby
disturbed." Another teacher states that 40 per cent, of her children
attend these classes.